Amplifying voices.
Bridging perspectives.
Universal Narratives is an educational consultancy founded by Dr. Salma Waly. We help schools, universities and organizations build equitable, culturally responsive and future-ready learning — and we pass the mic to educators around the world.
What we do
Education has the power to bring stability, comfort and opportunity — especially in times of crisis. Everything we do starts there.
Programs that fit your people
Culturally responsive leadership, inclusive school culture, family partnership and AI literacy — tailored to your community.
Meaningful Conversations
Circles of dialogue and reflection that bring generations and backgrounds together to listen deeply.
A global platform for educators
Bi-monthly conversations on equity, justice, language and leadership, told by educators from every walk of life.
Stories for young global citizens
The Maryam the New Yorker children’s book series celebrates friendship across cultures.
Consulting services
We design and deliver educational programs for institutions working across cultures, languages and borders — online, in person or both.
Culturally Responsive & Sustaining Pedagogy for School Leaders
Helping leaders build schools where every student’s culture, language and identity is recognized, valued and sustained.
DEI & Inclusive School Culture Workshops
Interactive workshops that help staff build a school culture of belonging, equity and respect.
Parent Engagement & Partnership Sessions
Sessions that strengthen trust and collaboration between schools and families from every background.
AI Literacy & Ethical Innovation in Education
Guiding educators to understand AI, use it responsibly, and innovate in ways that widen equitable access.
Teacher Training & Pedagogical Coaching
Preparing teachers who can meet the needs of every student, through training, coaching and supervision.
Curriculum & Program Design
Tailored curricula and learning programs built around the context, language and goals of your learners.
Online Teaching & Learning
Engaging, effective online and blended courses — a specialty since the pandemic reshaped education.
Literacy for Communities in Crisis
Literacy programs and curricula for refugees and communities affected by crisis, with NGOs and aid organizations.
Meaningful Conversations
A circle of dialogue and reflection about the issues shaping our lives, our communities, and the world around us.
We bring together people from different generations, backgrounds, and experiences to slow down, listen deeply, and explore contemporary questions that matter.
Instead, each gathering creates space for honest conversation, curiosity, and connection, with questions that invite us to think beyond our own experiences. While rooted in the UAE, Meaningful Conversations can travel anywhere people are willing to sit together and talk.
Dr. Salma Waly
★ Outstanding Arab American 40 Under 40My journey began as a special education teacher working with underprivileged children. That experience showed me how education can bring stability and comfort during crises — and it shaped my lifelong commitment to empowering people through learning.
Since then, my work has spanned teaching, teacher training, program design, project management and educational leadership, including senior roles in EdTech. I’ve consulted for NGOs, universities, schools and aid organizations, created literacy programs for refugees, presented at conferences worldwide and published in peer-reviewed journals.
As a bilingual Arabic–English speaker who has lived in the USA, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt, I bring cultural competence and a global perspective to every project. I founded Universal Narratives during the pandemic to connect educators across the globe.
Learners & professionals I’ve worked with: United States · Egypt · Sudan · Somalia · Syria · Japan · South Korea · China · South America
The podcast
Bi-monthly episodes giving educators a global platform to talk about the critical issues shaping the future of teaching and learning.
Preparing justice-oriented educators
Dr. Laura Kaplan, professor of education at Pace University in New York, on how teacher education programs can help teachers embrace equity and inclusion.
Listen on Apple PodcastsWe don’t speak on behalf of others. We pass the mic — so educators can share their stories, reflect, and inspire solutions.
Maryam the New Yorker
A children’s book series inspired by Dr. Waly’s global upbringing. In Maryam the New Yorker Meets an Ecuadorian Friend at the Unisphere, young readers explore friendship, curiosity and the many cultures that make a city home.
Get the book ↗Let’s talk.
Planning a leadership workshop or parent session? Want to host or join a Meaningful Conversations circle, or be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about it and we’ll be in touch.
Universal Narratives is a New York State registered LLC.